DROPPING BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

dropping back

verb

present participle of drop back

as in withdrawing

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dropping back The loss snapped Miami’s seven-game unbeaten streak in league play and was the team’s third loss in a row after dropping back-to-back games in the Leagues Cup tournament. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026 But first, dropping back from a low zone along the right sideline, Pettus snared a deep pass intended for Mack Hollins amid a crowd of players. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 Downs is everywhere As expected, rookie defensive back Caleb Downs has been moved all over the field, mostly playing nickel cornerback but also dropping back to play deep safety. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 31 July 2026 With both blockades fueling fears over global energy supplies, the price of international benchmark Brent crude oil jumped above the $100 a barrel threshold Thursday for the first time since May before dropping back down. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 24 July 2026 The Dream fell to the Seattle Storm 105-90 on Saturday after dropping back-to-back games to the Golden State Valkyries — 77-66 on June 24 and 78-75 on June 26. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The Griz constantly pumps the rod to get his bait darting forward and then dropping back. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026 The descent comes by bicycle, dropping back through emerald rice terraces and village lanes as the island wakes up around you. — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 23 May 2026 When opening an app, the CPU would spike to 96% before dropping back to more pedestrian 17% usage after a couple of seconds. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropping back

Verb

The road map involves Hamas gradually giving up its weapons while Israeli forces halt attacks and begin withdrawing from Gaza.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Dozens of additional settlers arrived, moving boulders into the road and throwing rocks at the security forces, who were seen firing sound grenades and spraying settlers with pepper spray before withdrawing.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Verb

It’s made up of nine river rooms and three junior suites, so staying here feels more like retreating to a private waterside residence than checking into a city stay.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Yet some of retail’s fastest-growing companies are not retreating from physical stores.

— Ayşe Çetinel, Harvard Business Review, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreating

Verb

The action was stronger in the oil market, where the price for a barrel of Brent crude briefly jumped above $90 in the morning before falling back below $87.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The youngest brother of Daniel, William and Alec Baldwin characterized at least part of his falling back from Hollywood as a way to free himself from industry expectations.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of falling back

Verb

Some winemakers are reacting by pulling out vineyards, changing their grape varieties, moving further north or introducing irrigation systems.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Republican Jim Shaw injected humor into his remarks, pulling out a Florida flag while distancing himself from substance use.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026